‘The HOey’ is back
Rally fans at Sydney Dragway saw history made early this year even if they weren’t aware of it. One of the entrants in the Whiteline Tarmac Rallysprint Series was Mark Taylor – husband and father of ARC champions Coral and Molly – having his rst competitive run in 24 years. Coincidentally, he was driving the car he last campaigned back in 1994 – the legendary and much-loved black BP Corse Plus XY Falcon GT nicknamed ‘The HOey’.
Often described as a GT-HO, the car is technically a GT. That’s how it came down the production line in 1971, but it was generally known as the meaner variety, a fair call because it ran with GT-HO enhancements.
It’s the third time Taylor has owned the car. He says there is only one way it will leave his sight now and he hopes that is not soon!
“Barry Lowe built it into a rally car and won the 1990 South Australian Rally Championship outright with it. I bought it and ran the ARC for several years but I had to sell it because it was costing me too much and I’d had my fun with it – or so I thought.”
Taylor was a regular competitor at state and national level, but his 1994 ‘retirement’ came as Coral’s professional career took off with Neal Bates and Toyota. Someone had to stay home with the couple’s two daughters, Jane and Molly, who were then barely in primary school.
Fast forward to 2005 when Taylor owned a rally school with 4WD rockets and a Commodore on the ‘ eet’. Taylor thought he needed a Falcon in the mix and heard that his former love was for sale.
“When we offered hot laps at the end of a day’s tuition, everyone wanted a run in the 4WD cars. Then they saw and heard the Falcon in action. We couldn’t keep up with the demand.”
As Molly started to build her career, the Taylors looked for ways to raise funds to help. The Falcon was sold. Taylor missed the car but didn’t regret the sacri ce – until last year, after a very special gift.
“Molly had commissioned a painting of the car for my birthday. As soon as I saw the picture, I knew I had to own the car again. Timing is everything. The car was literally heading for auction in Queensland, but the owner was in Victoria. I asked if he could drop in on the way through, and the car didn’t go any further.”
Taylor says he is totally in love again. The car has done a huge range of events since he last owned it, including ve runs in Targa Tasmania, but Taylor is yet to decide what he wants to do.
He just knows he will be out and about, and is currently on a serious tness regime to make it easier to handle the beast. Molly plans to hop into the co-driver’s seat when her schedule allows and he is looking forward to that.
The car is being returned to the way it was when he was last in action, aside from leaving the dents he remembers making. For history buffs, the changes include adding the 351 engine from Allan Moffat’s Coca-Cola Mustang, with the owners of that car re tting its original 302 motor.
“I am so excited to have it back. It is such fun to drive. From now on, I just plan to really look after it – and drive it like I stole it!” The writer of this story is thrilled the black beast is back in action. She called the corners for Taylor in 1994.